I woke up this morning feeling like I wanted to jump back into the :30 video diaries. The last one I made was 3 years ago! I’d like to get back in the habit of making them because they are good creative exercises. So here is one from my slow rainy morning here in the PNW.
Oh Christmas tree
In the 7 Christmases we’ve spent together, Brad and I never had our own Christmas tree. This year we finally live somewhere that has enough space to get one. We drove to a local Christmas tree farm and got one of the pre-cut ones because we’d already gone with my family to cut down theirs. I didn’t realize how much warmth and coziness having one would add, but I’ve really enjoyed having it.
Hand-drawn Animation
I decided to experiment with some hand-drawn animation. I’m not great at drawing but I pushed through my insecurity so I could learn and figure out how to use animation software. Here are some eyes I animated in an attempt to distract myself during the week of the election.
Our first fall in Oregon
There have been a lot of unexpected changes this season, but also a lot of happiness and love. My niece was born and it’s been one of the joys of relocating to Oregon, that I can spend so much time with my niece and nephew. We spent a lot of time in Portland and I got see both The National and Shannon & The Clams in concert. We saw the leaves change and the beautiful colors of the Pacific Northwest fall and went to a pumpkin patch to try some apple cider donuts (although unfortunately the ones I used to get on the East Coast were superior). We partook in a lot of Halloween activities and even went to see Rocky Horror with a shadow cast at a local theater.
Stay inspired
It’s hard sometimes to continue to feel inspired for personal projects but I’ve found that photography is a great way to keep the creative juices flowing. Here are some photos I’ve taken in the past few year.
Getting comfortable feeling uncomfortable
This year has thrown me a lot of curveballs. I’ve struggled with some health issues, my dog’s lymphoma cancer returned, and my extended family have had health issues. These were all harsh reminders that nothing in life is guaranteed, so I decided to try something that I’d never done before and took a roller derby bootcamp hosted locally here in Corvallis. Since I was a kid and I saw the movie “Brink!” I’d always wanted to learn to skate, but my own insecurities and fear of falling got in the way. The bootcamp was a really amazing experience both in learning to skate and because it was such an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment. Everyone was accepted whether they’d been skating for a while or were brand new, and there was no judgment against any one. This bootcamp is the kind of thing that I’d never have gone to when I was younger and more insecure, but I’m so glad I forced myself into being uncomfortable and trying something new. Sometimes doing uncomfortable things can really change your life for the better. Also, I learned that falling once in a while isn’t that big of a deal.
Anyway, I have a new hobby! I guess you’ll catch me skating around whenever I get the chance!
School of Motion - After Effects Kickstart
“Only the closed mind is certain.” - Dean Spanley, 2008
I’ve loved this quote since I first saw the film Dean Spanley when I was in college. I think it relates to a lot of different things in life - it’s important to always strive to continue growing and learning as a person. In my job as a video editor, technology is always developing and changing so I’ve endeavored to keep an open mind and never consider myself an expert on anything, since there’s always more to learn. In the past few years, I’ve taught myself to use After Effects through YouTube tutorials so I could create graphics and small animations at work. Despite this, I always felt self-conscious about my abilities, so I decided to sign up for a course in After Effects to further my skills and learn more about the program, and I’m so glad I did! Here are some of the projects from the course that I’m proud of. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more and continue to explore animation.
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Valentine's Day 2024
My annual Valentine’s Day video this year was tinged with some bittersweet emotions because of all the change we’ve experienced recently. It’s been a tough year with our dog Wally’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, personal losses and health scares, and a total shake-up of our everyday lives by moving across the country. But there’s no one I’d rather do it with than Brad.
We've moved!
Big news! Brad and I have relocated to Corvallis, OR. For a few years, we’ve been discussing moving to Oregon to be closer to my sister and her family, and a few weeks ago, an opportunity presented itself when Brad got a job here in Corvallis. Thankfully, I was able to keep my job and we drove the 3,000 miles with our dog Wally to get here. My parents also happened to be moving to Oregon, so it all felt fated to happen this way. We are definitely excited for this new adventure.
Ran my first 10k!
In August, my life was feeling overwhelming and I decided to run a 10k to have something to focus on and feel good about. I had never been a runner, but I signed up for the Sleepy Hollow Halloween 10k because I’d always seen the signs and it was one of the many events going on in the area to celebrate Halloween. I started training in August, using the couch to 10k app, and ran the race at the end of October. It was a quick training period, but I fell in love with running. Especially on the beautiful tree-lined trails near the reservoir in Tarrytown. I didn’t break any records during the race and the course was full of hills I hadn’t trained for, but I still made it in the time allotted and I’m proud that I finished. Now just to keep it going! Here are some photos from the race, as well as a video of all of the selfies I took while I was training.
First time back in the UK in 6 years
Brad and I got invited to his cousin’s wedding in Brighton, UK and decided to make it into a full trip - stopping in London, Bath, Cardiff and ending our trip in Brighton. We were there during an unexpected heat wave which brought some challenges, but we still had a great time! It was really great to reconnect with my old roommate Olga who’d just become a UK citizen (she’s originally from Greece) and to revisit all my old stomping grounds in Cardiff. Took some film photos, which I’ll share here.
Annual Valentine's Day Video for Brad
Every year I make a video for Brad that chronicles our year together as a visual Valentine. This year I had the idea to do a quick cut of the Super 8 footage of our wedding using a Martin Rev song (“I Heard Your Name”) that I had listened to throughout or wedding/honeymoon trip. I cut it all together and was very pleased with how it came out, but then later realized one of the reasons I love the videos we make for each other every year is the way they encapsulate all of the things we did together that year. So after finishing the Super 8 cut, I also did an additional cut with footage from the whole year set to the song “Valentine” by Lala Lala and Grapetooth. I’ve included both cuts here.
My Wedding Video
Brad and I got married in Las Vegas in October! As visual people, we both had a lot of ideas for our wedding video. Brad hired his friend Jacob to film the ceremony for us on Super 8 and we set up multiple digital cameras in the chapel. We got married in the famous Little White Wedding Chapel with an Elvis impersonator who serenaded us with “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Viva Las Vegas”. After the wedding we took a trip to Disneyland in California with my family and then we embarked on a solo adventure to New Mexico to explore Santa Fe, Roswell, and Albuquerque. I wanted one video that included everything; but I do plan on doing a shorter version eventually (or who knows, maybe never!). But I made this video very self-indulgent because ultimately it was for our memories. I’m still proud of how it came out and figured I’d share the result here.
Experimental Film - Shades
This is a project I worked on for 8 years - mostly in collecting voicemails. The idea was in my head but I never sat down and created it. I can’t say I’m as proud of it as I’d like to be, but perhaps I will revisit it at some point.
Early Days - My new nephew Parker
My nephew Parker was born a few weeks ago. I flew out to see him a week after he was born and filmed some moments with my family. When I got back I cut this video together documenting his early days.
Valentine's Day 2022
My annual video for Brad on Valentine’s Day chronicling our year. It’s hard to believe this is video #4.
Super 8
Way back in 2019, my parent’s friend was at an estate sale and saw a super 8 camera and projector and asked if I wanted them. I didn’t know if the camera would work even though the motor was running and the light meter seemed to work. I bought one of those Pro8mm kits to test it out and then Covid hit and I moved to a new apartment and since I didn’t go anywhere or have anything to film, I forgot about it in my storage unit. I love shooting 16mm film with my bolex, but I’d always been curious about super 8. Recently, remembering the kit and wanting to try it out, I filmed some footage around some trails by my house. I was happy to find that it worked! Here are a few of my favorite clips from the footage that I strung together.
Drawing
I always admired people who could draw, but never really tried myself. Every time I would start drawing, I would criticize it and give up; telling myself I didn’t have the talent. Lately I decided to give it a try. With some help from YouTube, I’ve made some progress. Still not amazing but I’m continuing to practice.
Summer 35mm Photos
This summer I tried to flex more creative muscles and took a lot of film photos. Here are a few of my favorites.
Washington D.C. Trip
For my fiancé Brad’s birthday this year we took a trip to Washington D.C. so he could see some friends and visit some of his old haunts. I brought along my new camera and cut together this trip video.